Three Jolly Boys - Batley Years

Old Illustration of three men sat at a table drinking

Three Jolly Boys caricature from Punch magazine May 19th, 1888

Three Jolly Boys All in a Row

I learned this song in 1964 from Tony Foxworthy. Although a West Countryman, he was the Northeast area rep. for the English Folk Dance and Song Society with an office in Darlington. His job was to support and encourage participation in all aspects of folk traditions including dance, song and customs.

In 1964 some Wakefield members of the EFDSS wished to start a folk dance and song club, so, encouraged by Tony, they started a club at the Woolpacks Hotel in Wakefield City Centre. The club alternated weekly with folk song one week and dance the next. It was at the song sessions that I picked up the words of the song from Tony singing it.
The club moved to Batley in the late 1960s and changed its name to Yorkshire Mixtures Folk Dance and Song Club, and they still hold a weekly ceilidh at Batley RAFA Club.

Tony was very active as a EFDSS representative, and went onto found Darlington Folk Workshop, Darlington Mummers and Whitby Folk Festival which are all still going almost 60 years later. He was also instrumental with me becoming a member of the English Folk Dance and Song Society in the early 1960s.

Bill Price and myself often sang the song when we performed together in the late sixties and early seventies. In the early years of Whitby Folk Festival I would meet up with my old Lancashire mate Harry Boardman in the Black Horse, and along with his son Tim, the three of us would give the song an airing.

Three Jolly Boys All in a Row

You went for a walk, sir? Aye sir, aye.
And you did the same sir? No sir, no.
You did, did you not sir? Aye sir, aye.
You cannot deny it sir? No sir, no.

Chorus
The one says: "Aye" and the other says: "No",
We are three jolly boys all in a row,
In a row, in a row, in a row, in a row
We are three jolly boys all in row

You met a fair maiden? Aye sir, aye.
And you did the same sir? No sir, no.
You did, did you not sir? Aye sir, aye.
It's true is it not sir? No sir, no.

You played with her muslin? Aye sir, aye.
And you did the same sir? No sir, no.
You did, did you not sir? Aye sir, aye.
It's true is it not sir? No sir, no.

Now she's having a baby? Aye sir, aye
And you are the father? No sir, no.
It's true is it not sir? Aye sir, aye
You cannot deny it sir? No sir, no.

Will you buy the round sir? No sir, no.
And how about you sir? No sir, no.
You will, will you not sir? No sir, no.
Not one little drop sir? No sir, no.

One says: "No" and the other says: "No",
We are three thirsty boys all in a row,
In a row, in a row, in a row, in a row,
If someone don’t treat us, we'll all have to go!

About Mick

Mick Haywood is a traditional folk singer & folk song collector who has run and organised folk clubs and festivals for many years. He now lives in Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Mick Haywood's Song Wordbook

Batley Years

Three Jolly Boys All in a Row

About Mick

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